Only nine councils hit the 50% target, including Clackmannanshire (60%), and East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire and Fife (all 56%).

The worst performing councils were Shetland (12%), Dumfries and Galloway (24%) and Glasgow City (27%).

Mr Lochhead, said: "In the long run we still have one of the most enviable improvements in recycling rates in Europe: from less than 5% prior to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, to 42.2% in 2013.

"I expect the larger local authorities, and indeed all local authorities, to rise to the challenge of achieving the target via compliance with the regulations, innovation and collaboration."